As I recall in early 2000's, (2003?) the ACT was amended to remove a reference to commercial regulation. … As for the amendment to the Act that I recall, I will go look, when I have time. Don't hold your breath.
No need for us to hold our breath. It takes about three minutes to track through the historical compilations of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 on ComLaw:
Comlaw Home
The amendment was as I described above: All that happened was the word “commercial” was deleted from s 27(9), thus
broadening the scope of operations for which an AOC may be required.
That change did the rounds of the rumour mill and came out, as usual, as ‘peace for our time!’
Hook, line and sinker…